DocBauer

I like the move, even if never pays off in any big way. Any time you trade away an OK 4th OF, albeit having the best year of his career, BACK to the team that cut him for a functional 27 yo LHSP who has actually had ML success and solid numbers, it's a win any way you slice it. I like Thrylos' numbers. I think they offer a more balanced perspective. While there are pitchers that simply don't fit their home parks for various reasons, think Hughes as an example, I think most pitchers, like position players, tend to perform better at home. Further, Target Field is not a bad pitchers park either. Is Milone a more proven version of Gilmartin I wonder? I don't want to get in to a big debate here about who should be promoted, should have already been promoted, etc. The simple facts are that right now, this season, May has pitched with overall consistency than Meyer. And that's not a knock on him or his potential. It's just a fact for NOW. But if we accept that May might be up sooner, and again, might be more ready NOW, we could see Hughes, Gibson, Nolasco and May as our top 4 for next season, and even to finish out this one. Milone could be a nice LH #5 option until Meyer or Berrios would be ready. A playoff rotation? I don't know, jury is still out on Hughes' consistency and Gibson's ceiling to be sure. May's potential is very good. A healthy Nolasco offers a huge boost and a very solid option. So playoff rotation? Maybe. Any way you'd slice it, those 5 would constitute the best SP rotation we've had in a few years to be sure.

This. Shane, really, you hit just about every thought I had, especially if Suzuki is indeed traded. A couple points though, Nate Roberts is already gone. I wouldn't dare trade Fien. He's good, controlled financially, and only 30. Probably keep Duensing for the same reason. No promises to Hicks, which I wrote elsewhere, but at this point, with an option already burned, why wouldn't you bring him back up for September?

First, no to Buxton. No matter how much I want to see him get his cup of coffee, there is no reason to bring him up for September, no matter his talent and potential, or even if he gets a hopeful promotion to AA soon to finish out the season. No how much any of us believe in him, does anyone really expect him to start in CF opening day 2015? If something like that happens, you make the appropriate roster move then, or whenever. In the meantime, you play the roster game and keep the open spot for someone else. As to the list... Arcia has as much bat talent as anyone in the system. His defense is inconsistent, but not terrible. His arm is very good, and his potential not bad, overall. He shows enough offensively that I still think he's best right where he is. I still think Bruno is a solid hitting coach. The players around him aren't yet performing to the level we'd all like, but last year, and this year, the Twins are amongst the league leaders for number of pitches seen per AB. I think he's teaching a solid approach. And while I hate harping on an issue, I still wonder if a quality Latin coach with ML experience might not help reach guys like Arcia. Gibson needs to just keep doing what he's doing. Honestly, except for a few bad starts that skew his numbers, the kid has looked good to awesome, and will continue to get better. Now, I do wonder about total IP come September, but he did miss one start, rosters will be expanded, so not too worried. Mauer...wow...just tired of the bashing. It's OK to be frustrated and worried and disappointed, but does anyone really think Mauer isn't a talented ball player and hitter having a really rough year? Say all you want to about his position change and pressure, etc, but the truth is he has been fighting post concussion syndrome. It's very obvious. Even his best friend Morneau has talked about his own battle. Joe's grandfather even made comments. Mauer was actually starting to look like his old self before his oblique injury. All I want to see is a healthy Mauer finishing the season well, getting ready to be his old self in 2015. If you don't think a healthy Mauer is a key, and one of the best pure hitters in all of baseball, then I wonder what you've been watching. Nolasco is simple. Just be healthy. Get a few more starts in, prove you're healthy, and don't be another TJ candidate. If he can do that, he will earn his contract next season as a top 3 starter and 2014 will just be a bad memory. I think there are 4 other rather obvious names that have to be added to this list. Santana is absolutely the biggest story to the Twins season. How can he not be? We can discuss, debate, argue and fuss at length about Gardy, the coaching staff, the FO, mistakes, wishes and wants, promotions and minor leaguers galore, Hughes, Gibson, Dozier, Mauer or the price of a hot dog and beer or the hot blonde sitting in seat A7 the day we were at Target Field....not me, just saying....but at the end of the day, there is NOTHING more polarizing or worth print than what Santana has brought this year. I believe Shane's very appropriate comment was: "what the hell?" He was a very athletically gifted young SS with loads of unbridled possibilities who just wasn't ready. Gardy commented how much he liked him, which is huge considering neither he or TK before him usually offered up much praise for young prospects. But as Gladden pointed out in one ST game, he had yet to provide any big moment to showcase said potential yet. So as expected, he was sent down to Rochester. So after the Bartlett experiment was quickly closed, and Florimon continued to play just awful, it was the young, not yet ready Santana who was promoted. (All the more surprising considering the Twins refuse to promote young players) Where is the icon that shows tongue planted firmly in cheek? All he has done is learn to play CF on the fly, and actually show some ability and growth at the position, while also bouncing back to SS as well. The kid has hit...continued to hit...shown the ability to walk a bit, battle and fight off pitches, stroke some XB hits, take an XB, steal a base, bunt, and generally perform like a real ML player. He even shook of the rust from a DL stint quickly. I'm not sure what to expect from him long term, but I wouldn't bet against the kid at this point. He is one of the few reasons I don't want the season to end, and keep watching. Hicks...what do you do? He's actually hitting at AA, but he's done that before, and should be. Way, way too much talent and potential to ignore going forward. If it's me, you've already used an option this year, so I bring him back up. I stress to him that nothing is promised. He could easily be in AAA next year. Just come up, play, have fun, relax, and do your best getting ready for next season even if that means Rochester. May and Meyer both: Throw. Don't think, just throw. Don't try to be Roger Clemmons. Just throw, have fun, experience what it is to be a ML'er, learn, use this as a building block for next season, and just throw

Download attachment: Escobar_Hicks_Kubel_Celebrate_US_720.jpg The season is still very young. I don't want to get too wrapped up in early optimism, but something has to be said about the lineup and production thus far, especially considering the generally pessimistic nature I think most of us felt at the close of spring training. There was a lot of gnashing of teeth, despite the "they can't be any worse, therefore they must be at least somewhat better" mantra. There are flaws and concerns still to be sure. (I'm not here to necessarily rehash the shortstop argument at length.) But let's take a moment to offer up props where due. What impresses me most is that a year after setting records for strikeouts, our Twins are suddenly among the leaders in on-base percentage, something I never dared dream. Jason Kubel has gone from a small investment/good flyer to washed up to performing well not only at the plate, but also reminding us that despite somewhat limited range, he is and always has been an OK defensive outfielder. The jury is still very much out on Josh Willingham. But even he looked pretty good the first few games after looking like overdone toast in ST. What more can be said about Chris Colabello? He's not just a good story any longer, he's become a great story. I've been converted from a hopeful fan of his to an actual believer. At his age, he's just not going to be a long-tenured major leaguer. But he's gone from a small independent league signing news blurb to someone who raked at AA. And still he was doubted. He raked upon his promotion to AAA and was again doubted when he finished in the majors last season. (Again, not the first or last ball player to be ill-fit initially). The Twins tried to do him a favor and ship him overseas; he refused, intent on fulfilling his dream. He's made adjustments, had a great ST, and has become, at least, an early season stalwart in the lineup. I'm just not going to bet against him any longer. Despite a couple errors, Plouffe looks much more comfortable at 3B. And while I very much doubt he will continue to hit .300 with a .400 OB, he really looks like a completely different hitter. Has the light finally come on? Dozier is proving he is for real. An on-base percentage over a 100 points higher than his early season batting average? Wait until a few more balls find holes. Same with Hicks. Nothing spectacular yet, but he just looks so much more relaxed and competent than last season. Like Dozier, an OBP over a 100 points higher than his BA. So far, Suzuki looks like the hitter he used to be. Pinto is showing really good signs. Mauer is Mauer and is just beginning to hit like Mauer. I can't wait to get Arcia back, and probably Hammer as well, though he should be primarily a DH. A couple questions and concerns. I still believe Mauer is best in the #3 hole. When do we consider Hicks for the #2 hole between Dozier and Mauer, with his patience and Mauer behind him? And long term, who is our #4 hitter? Even if Hammer comes back strong, he's not a long term answer by any means. Despite the angst involved with hoping for a long term solution at shorstop, I think that a batter to hit 4th​ is a primary concern to be addressed soon. But a tip of my cap to hitting coach Tom "Bruno" Brunansky, the staff, and especially the players thus far. Click here to view the article

AAA is a place for prospects. But it's also a place where do the best you can to stash quad-A players who you can call up as decent fill-in options when guys get injured at the ML level. Just because a player is a very good prospect at AAA doesn't mean he's ready to automatically contribute for the parent club when there is an opening, even temporarily. And quite frankly, expecting a AAA roster to just be brimming full of future MLers is kind of naive. (This somewhat true at all levels, of course) No matter the hopes and dreams that each prospect has, they are simply not all going to be MLers. So at all levels, you surround top prospects with decent prospects, maybe prospects, and just solid ball players for each respective level to put a full team on the field. And sometimes, just like a fringe ML signing, lightening strikes. This season, at least, I'm disappointed with some of the AAA options the Twins have placed at Rochester, particularly in the OF. Though the pitching options haven't been as poor as some recent years. I'm still disappointed Romero wasn't brought up when Plouffe went down. I think it's easy to say "drop these guys", but as has been pointed out, then you have to have said number of players READY to move up and take those spots. First at one level, and then the other. The Twins have made many promotions as of late, and if it weren't for injuries to Sano, Buxton and the suspension of Rosario, the promotions might have been more exciting and newsworthy.

Fully agree on Arcia with all the above. The talent level is very high. And I've seen enough good plays, and a very good arm most of the time, that I haven't given up on his defense. He is still very young. And he's one of those young players the Twins refuse to promote. (Snicker) I don't believe he'd really gain anything from more AAA time. He's shown too much at this level, despite the streaks and inconsistencies, to not work with him at this level. Despite slumping some recently, I'm still a big believer in Dozier. I do think an extra day off once in a while would help. And while I don't have stats in front of me, didn't his recent dip in production, more or less, coincide with the injuries to Mauer and Santana? If I'm even close to correct, I'd see a lot more pressure on his as well as teams pitching around him. Also a huge lover of Thorpe, as well as the somewhat similar Gonsalves. Maybe the hardest thing to find in all of baseball is a hard throwing LHSP who has the ability to be a quality ML SP. Not even a #1 Cy Young player like Santana, or Viola years before him, but just a good 2-3 quality SP who can do the job day in and day out and be a fixture. Baseball is a game of numbers, numbers we obsess over at times. Numbers that tell a story, sometimes tell a bigger story, and sometimes tell a misleading story. Many of us are obsessed with May and Meyer, and to a lesser extent, Barrios and Stewart. And while all players have their own personal time table for various reasons, we sometimes get impatient for them to arrive and become fixtures. Every year, every other year, some kid is lightning in a bottle and arrives as a quality, if not top, SP at 20 or 21 and we ALL want our team to have a kid just like that! But those are truly rare occurrences. And we sometimes lose track of how young these kids really are at times. In Thorpe, and Gonsalves, we have a couple 19 yo kids pitching in A ball who have some real stuff! Real potential! But most kids this age are in rookie ball, even as top picks, or getting ready for their first season in college, and in a few cases, their redshirt freshman or sophomore seasons. The fact these kids are showing what they are is very exciting! Just be patient and give them time. Both could be in AA in 2016. Wow!

Kind of an oxymoron here, but I think Duensing has solid value as a young 30yo reliever with a decent track record, but, I don't think he has tremendous value in a trade scenario. While Darnell has received only one ML start, and has enough stuff and milb track record to deserve more looks, the one thing that has been encouraging is his SO's thus far, in AAA and his couple appearances with the Twins. While he didn't pitch very well in his first start, he still managed to SO 7. Ibarra and O'Rourke could definitely be options, maybe Thompson, as early as next season, I'm in no hurry to trade a cost controlled, solid LH reliever. If the Twins continue the trend of a 7 man bullpen in 2015, (and I long for the day when the rotation is strong enough to drop back to 6 for another bench player), I could see the Twins making room next season for a 3rd LHRP to go along with Fien, say...Swarzak, and the best option of Pressly, Achter, Tonkin and lerhaps Pryor.

Outstanding article. Thank you very much for the information, and all the hard work you put in. I do think that certain prospects just set their own schedule, like Berrios has done thus far. That being said, a jump to a level by a below-average age player vs another similarly young talent DOES NOT bespeak the future career or capabilities of either player. All in all, I'd hold of expectations or plans on 2015 until we see how the next month and a half work out. As a further example, Berrios was a pitcher and baseball player. Stewart split a lot of his early development as a football player. Just based on today, I'd start him back in CR to build further confidence a and experience with the idea of a fairly quick promotion to high A. Of course, the talent is potentially tremendous, and we have the balance of the season and winter ball for Stewart to force the issue.

I like the optimism. It rivals even mine! Lol The Twins will not contend. But they can contend for .500. And it's not really that outlandish. Nolasco stays in the rotation, but remembers who he is and what he can do. This, along with Hughes and Gibson, gives us a very solid 1-3. May will be up. He will struggle. But he will also be very good. Correia will be traded unless the Twins are offered nothing. That leaves the best case scenario of Pino, Deduno, Meyer, Darnell and Johnson until September when they may all be available in one form or another. A 6 man rotation maybe? Santana and Mauer both come off the DL and hit like they did before injury. Escobar keeps it up, mostly, as does Plouffe. Yes, Nunez should get shots. He seems to like being out of NY. Arcia is streaky, but mostly good streaky. Morales settles in and the Twins keep him. Willingham and Morales both traded, can't fill the 4th and 5th spots in the rotation with anyone who can give you a realistic shot, and .500 doesn't happen.

Agreed, though I think a spot-long-mid man is more to his capabilities vs simply mop-up. Especially if he can start an inning vs combining in in the middle. Could pressure Swarzak, or, if Swarzak can hop on his 2013 wagon, he might be capable of more 7th inning plus appearances.

I think after last season, the majority of fans were hoping he'd fully recover from his procedure and be the same electric, and mostly consistent SP this year we saw in 2013. For whatever reason(s) he just hasn't been that guy. And when you need top quality SP, have some top prospects so close, and have endured 3 straight disappointing seasons, with some awful pitching and a glut of AAAA fill in types, it's easy to pull the rip cord on a guy like Deduno at this point. He was a good story while it lasted, and Pino is sort of the new Deduno at the moment. Now, if Deduno suddenly got another shot, pitched 6 quality innings each time out! occassionaly 7, and looked like the guy he was last season, the love and optimism would return somewhat. Certainly it would give the team another option. But at this time, the May and Meyer train is quickly approaching the Target Field Depot.

I am very pro Gardenhire, overall. Though he and I do butt heads on occasion. Though I suppose he doesn't realize this on a daily basis or concern himself much with it. At 56, Gardy is still a relatively young man. I see no relative signs of slowing down. But he has made comment in the recent past about wanting to manage the Twins, at least, until the signs of rebuilding and turnaround are apparent. In theory, the talent on the roster now, the deep talent in the minors that will hopefully explode on the scene soon, along with a little bit better luck in the health category, and the overall better competitive nature of this years team, has had some conjecturing when that step-down date for Gardy might be. Now, he might pull a TK this season, or next, and say its time; the team and it's future is solid and it's time to move on. Or, the team might be playing well, the top prospects are healthy and playing well, and he might stick around a little longer. Who could blame him? But since the subject has been broached, whether it be at the end of this season...next..or another season or two, who is the next Twins manager? I think Molitor would be an excellent choice, but didn't realize until recently that he's actually a year older than Gardenhire. And while I wouldn't say he couldn't or wouldn't do/take the job, I wonder at his past few years and wonder if he wouldn't just be happier as a coach or instructor now vs being the guy. Brunansky is 53 and a well respected hitting coach with a seeming ability to connect to his players. Doug Mientkiewicz, 39, and Jake Mauer, 35, are a pair of young former Twins, managing in A ball, who have shown success, moxy, and baseball management/coaching skills that could have them both fast tracking. The Twins may have missed the boat on Mike Redmond, who is already a big league manager with the Marlins at 41. Still, if things sour in Miami, as they have been known to do in the past, he may be an option. Matthew LeCroy is another former Twin who slipped through our fingers. The former C/DH is currently the Nationals bullpen coach. I believe he could be someone to watch. You can scoff all you want at the Twins general philosophy of staying and promoting from within, but most of the track history the past 25 years indicates that they generally surround themselves with pretty smart talent.

Reportedly, numbers never lie. Except we all know this is false in the game of baseball. There is so much a variety of statistics and measurements that can be used to make cases pro and con. And in the case of hitters/position players, there are many various mitigating circumstances that influence their production. Not just players' hot and cold streaks and adjustments, but also protection and batters on base in front of them. Through today, Saturday May 31st, his per AB numbers have him on pace to finish at 27 doubles, down from 32 last season, nearly identical HR numbers, 20 vs 19, and 89 RBI vs 93 in 2013. However, despite nearly identical numbers per AB compared to last season, based on this season, so far, and last season's 457 AB's, it should be pointed out that not only did Vargas start out a little slowly this season, but he's also up a level at AA. And unlike last season, there is no Buxton, Rosario or Sano to help carry the load. Further, compare his overall slash line: 2013: .267 Avg./ .344 OB%/ .468 SLG%/ .813 OPS 2014: .324 Avg./ .401 OB%/ .514 SLG%/ .914OPS Even more, he struck out at a rate of 23% percent per AB in 2013, and walked at an 11% rate, all based on 457 AB's for the season. Thus far in 2014, in 185 AB's, he is striking out at a 17% rate, and walking at a 13% rate. Granted, these numbers are based on AB's and not plate appearances, but I doubt there would be much discrepancy. I believe this begs the question, "What happens next?" I think this speaks of a promotion to Rochester soon, after the All-Star break to be sure. I think Vargas has crossed the line of "coming up", to a possible September call up and a possible bat for the 2015 Twins. View full article

Reportedly, numbers never lie. Except, we all know this is false in the game of baseball. There are so many various statistics and measurements that can be used to make cases pro and con. And in the case of a hitter/position player, there are many various mitigating circumstances that influence their production. Not just a player's hot and cold streaks and adjustments, but also protection and batters on base in front of them. Through today, Saturday May 31st, his per AB numbers have him on pace to finish at 27 Dbls, (down from 32 last season), nearly identical HR numbers, 20 vs 19, and 89 RBI vs 93 in 2013. However, despite nearly identical numbers compared to last season, per AB, based on this season and last season's 457 AB's, or a slight regression this season, it should be pointed out that not only did Vargas start out a little slow out of the gate this season, but he's also up a level at AA, and unlike last season, there is no Buxton, Rosario or Sano to help carry the load. Further, compare his overall slash line: 2013: .267Avg/ .344 OB%/ .468 SLG%/ .813 OPS 2014: .324Avg/ .401 OB%/ .514 SLG%/ .914OPS Even more, he struck out at a rate of 23% percent per AB in 2013, and walked at an 11% rate, all based on 457 AB's for the season. Thus far in 2014, in 185 AB's, he is striking out at a 17% rate, and walking at a 13% rate. Granted, these numbers are based on AB's and not plate appearances, but I doubt there would be much discrepancy. I believe this begs the question, "what happens next?" I would think this speaks of a promotion to Rochester soon, after the all star break to be sure. I think Vargas has crossed the line of: "coming up" to a possible September call up and a possible bat for the 2015 Twins.

Thank you for this post. Well thought out and thorough. EVERY relief pitcher has bad outings that can inflate their numbers. A bad stretch of a couple games can really distort numbers. See Burton last year at one point. But Fien has been borderline outstanding since signed. Obviously, this is yet another sign that Anderson stinks as a pitching coach. (tongue, obviously, firmly planted in cheek)

Yes. At this point, yes. Wish I could copy and paste some interesting stats to provide perspective and thoughts I posted on another thread. They reside in the Hicks switch hitting thread if interested. Its just to early to rush to judgement when he's learning and was jumped straight from AA.

Is it actually possible that for the first time since Santana was a second year player in the bullpen pounding at the door to be let in to the rotation, that the Twins may soon have too much depth in the rotation? Cough or snicker for a moment if you must and then consider the following: Nolasco is still a relatively young veteran SP signed for production, innings and consistency for 3 more years after this. He's coming off a couple solid seasons and his very best season. And after a rough start to this year, he's looking very much like the player we thought we were signing. The even younger and more talented Hughes is looking like a borderline stud. He's pitching like, or better, than hoped, and might be really finding himself with the Twins, and away from NY and Yankee stadium. (Is it too soon for an ironic, sarcastic "Anderson sucks" reference?) In his first full, completely healthy and one assumes unlimited season, Gibson is looking very much like the player we've been waiting for and wish we had had last season. Late bloomer Deduno, he of the best SP numbers on the staff last season before injury, is back in the rotation where he seems to belong, and off to a good start. Again, I worry about total IP limitations on him, but he just might be the best 170 IP, 28 starts #5 starter in baseball. Correia is gone at the end of this season, if not before. Unless he pulls some real magic out of his cap, Pelfrey may be following him out of town. Even if he does rebound somewhat, he might be gone for a bag of balls or nothing else as the Twins can not only afford to eat his contract next season, but there may simply be better options available as early as the second half of this season. As the numbers stand as of today, AAA Rochester is brimming with a trio of arms that should be ready soon. May: 3.35 ERA, 43 IP, 30 H, 17 BB, 47 SO, 1.09 Whip in 8 starts Meyer: 3.79 ERA 40.1 IP, 31 H, 21 BB, 49 SO, 1.29 Whip in 8 starts Darnell: 2.32 ERA, 31 IP, 26 H, 11BB, 33 SO, 1.19 Whip in 6 starts Two top, hard throwing prospects with big frames, IP and SO potential each having great success in their first seasons of AAA. Yes, they are young and have things to learn and work on and probably need more consistency. But numbers and reports don't always lie. And these two represent the best two top pitching prospects the Twins have had since probably Garza. And while each could most certainly be ready for serious competition in 2015 SP, I would argue that each may just be ready by the second half of the season. Yes the Twins want to win, and we want them to do so. But it's a very real possibility that either, or both, of these young men will give us the best chance to do so soon. After all, we are in rebuilding mode aren't we? And there is no question that talent and potential of May and Meyer blow away Correia and Pelfrey. But don't fall asleep on Darnell. The former top 10 pick doesn't throw as hard as May or Meyer, but reports have him consistently in the low 90's, left handed, never a bad thing, and according to recent reports from Darnell himself here at TD in an interview, gaining further comfort and confidence this season with his curve and change. His milb numbers don't look awesome at first glance, but the Twins did push him hard his second season, pitching at 3 different levels. His 3rd season was spent entirely at AA with mixed results, however, it was his first full season at the level, and only the second season of 3 where he was allowed to stay at a level. He has held a 3.41 ERA through his first 4+ seasons and a 2.55-1 SO to BB ratio. Still only 25, already with a cup of coffee with the Twins this season, interrupting his AAA season, working what may or may not be his first full season at Rochester, he's having the best season of his young career. Correia gone end of year if not sooner, Pelfrey's Twins career hanging by a thread with the ability to cut him loose.....are we looking at Nolasco, Hughes, Gibson, Deduno, May, Meyer and Darnell by next season? Or the second half of this season?

As of today, Meyer, May and Darnell all have very solid numbers. W-L records mean very little at this point. Meyer: 3.79 ERA and 1.29 Whip with 49 SO 21 BB in 40 IP in 8 starts. May: 4.11 ERA and 1.11 Whip with 41 SO 13 BB in 35 IP in 7 starts. Darnell: 2.32 ERA and 1.19 Whip 33 SO 11 BB in 31 IP in 6 starts through his start Saturday. Not that I believe you HAVE to have a LH in the rotation, but what about Darnell?

Great post Mr Bell. Tried a similar one a couple weeks ago to no avail. Let's hope we get everyone to climb on board here. As far as "order" of SS currently, I believe you're right on with Escobar as the first in line. And he should be at this point. His hard work has earned him this right. And it's rewarding to see him get the opportunity at this point. I think most of us agree his opportunity was at least a week or two overdue. I very much appreciate the tremendous defensive abilities of Florimon, but, truth be told, his setback in ST and poor performance there, probably should have warranted Escobar opening the season either in Ft Meyers or Rochester with Escobar starting from day one. He came to the Twins with a reputation as a versatile player with a good glove. That's why we acquired him. And up until now, he hasn't been given the opportunity to show what he's capable of on a regular basis with the ChiSox, or with us. He's still only 25, offers at least a little upside offensively, but has already been bouncing around on ML benches for 3+ years now, probably rushed up. Santana, two years younger at 23, is and probably should be #2 in line due to age, experience, and Escobar's quality start. Though there is no way he'll continue to hit over .300. I'm pleased he's had chances to play SS since his promotion. I understand his play in CF considering the current OF situation with the Twins. And with his athleticism, perhaps he has the ability to be a multi-positional player who can contribute in various ways offensively and defensively. And while I don't want to talk out of both sides of my mouth, Santana needs opportunities to show what he can do at SS, whether that be now, or back at Rochester and brought back up later in the season. I've had hopeful expectations for him, and simply don't expect him to perform long term as he has in his limited time with the Twins. However, he shows some real speed and athleticism, and by no means does he have any overmatched deer in the headlights look about him. A rough comparison of both players milb numbers shows very comparable numbers: Escobar .266/.319/.354/.673 with a SB avg of 10.5 per season and a success rate of 65%: Santana .270/.315/.395/.710 with a SB avg of 16.7 per season and a success rate of 69%. Very comparable numbers across the board, though skewed slightly by Santana being 2 years younger, and with at least 1 full season less in the minors to this point, a higher slugging and OPS with more speed and SB ability. This is not meant to disregard Escobar or his current opportunity. Just a reminder of the potential of Santana and a statement that he also deserves his opportunity. I am intrigued by Nunez and what he may offer. I also think he's in a good place with the right team as a versatile utility player who can play all over the place and get in the lineup on a fairly regular basis as the Twins have always been good about getting their bench players involved on a regular basis. With all due respect, Florimon's time has come and gone, I believe. Long term, I still wonder and have big hopes for Polanco. Could he be another Omar Vizqel? Not the strongest arm, but all the other traits needed to be a quality SS with real offensive potential.

2014 was labeled, and I feel acurately, as a transition year for the Twins. A year where we begin to say goodbye to three disappointing and frustrating years of non-contention, bad baseball, and 90 loss seasons. A year where we begin to talk about a more competitive team who could threaten for a .500 record who has a legitimate chance to win nightly/daily. A team bridging the gap for higher expectations in 2015 and beyond. Despite disappointing setbacks to such talented prospects as Sano, Buxton and Rosario, the Twins boast one of the most talented minor leagues in all of baseball. And despite the setbacks to those potential difference makers, there is a very large contingent of talented prospects enjoying fine seasons in the minors and continuing their trek Northward. The Twins made an elaborate, for them, and unexpected foray in to FA this past offseason to shore up the teams biggest weakness, the starting rotation. A rotation to make the team competitive built around building blocks such as Mauer, Dozier, Pinto, Arcia, and those that might make their presence felt at some point this year and next, etc. Despite some early and disappointing failings, Hughes has been pitching anywhere from good to outstanding. Nolasco is warming up and looking very good these days. And despite a couple rough outings, Gibson has begun to perform like the top prospect we've been anxiously awaiting. However, despite a solid, overall consistent 2013, Correia has been a big disappointment so far. And while there were other options available that I liked better than Pelfrey, I couldn't really argue with the Twins re-signing based on projections of being a full year further removed from surgery and the tease of a couple very solid months pitched last season before running out of steam late. Correia looks nothing like the pitcher he was last year. Pelfrey looks even worse. Deduno, perhaps a far better than average 5th starter who simply can't handle the workload of a 30+ start schedule, is back in the rotation where he should be, and deserves to be. This leaves the Twins in need of one additional SP. Who is that person? I'm not saying the move takes place tomorrow. But first of June? Mid June? When and who? What say you?

Ok, go ahead, call me crazy. I get it. But is it possible we're missing something here that could prove helpful? When the Twins re-acquired Pino this off season I offered a simply "meh" like the rest of you. AAA filler who might not finish the year or even make the club if a few things break right. But with his incredible start I had to sit down and take a look at his career numbers. He has a career 3.7 to 1 SO to BB ratio and a career BA against of .239 including this season, and a career W-L of 79 & 55. Granted, there are reasons he's never had a cup of coffee, but his milb track history indicates a serviceable, replacement level player you would think would have had a shot somewhere down the line. In his time previously in the Twins organization, he was never a top prospect, and was probably a 20-ish level prospect. Though he did receive mention in different prospectus as someone to watch a time or two. I have absolutely no illusions about Mr. Pino's prospect status. I'm just wondering, are we missing something here? Is he one of those guys who spends his career flying under the radar before figuring things out late and turns himself in to a useful piece? A long reliever or middle reliever

Thank you SD. Wonderful to have someone so close to an affiliate who can give us such a great insight in to the team and players. It's simply impossible to predict the future of any young player, much less one with a blind eye. His "handicap" may eventually limit him, or perhaps, like any young player, he will simply plateau at a level. And perhaps he'll climb all the way to the majors! But a tip of my cap to what he has been able to accomplish thus far. A great story, and a talented and hard working young man.

I wonder if it might also be fun to simply do a separate mount for the best 4 pitchers in Twins history? Blyleven and Santana would have to be on it. After that I'm not as sure. Viola is a strong candidate. So might be Aguillera. Kaat? And what about one for non-players? Despite controversy, would Griffin be there? McPhail would have to be wouldn't he? TK would be a must. Ryan? Mauch? And again, despite some controversy, Pohlad?

I feel almost ashamed. While reading this post I felt it was obvious who the four would be...but...I actually had an arguable Hrbek as my 4th as somehow I forgot about Oliva. While I think Herbie would be a great choice, and without a doubt is an all-time great, I can only plead temporary insanity. He was before my time, but from all I have heard and read, is Bobby Allison a consideration for the mount?